Sir Keir Starmer accused of using 'blinkered left-wing ideology' after refusing private healthcare when most Labour voters would use it

Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of 'blinkered Left-wing ideology' for refusing to use private health when even most Labour ­supporters would do so.

Insisting the health service 'runs through my DNA', he said: 'I don't use private health – I use the NHS.'

The remarks, in last week's ITV election debate, contrasted with Rishi Sunak's declaration that he would go private if needed.

A YouGov poll yesterday showed 72 per cent of Labour Party supporters would use the private sector to avoid long waiting lists if they could afford to.

Only 16 per cent of Labour ­voters shared Sir Keir's stance.

To add to his embarrassment, the Tories highlighted how three of Labour's biggest union backers – Unite, Unison and the GMB – offer members private health packages.

Unison, the largest union with 1.4 million members, offers an optional 'health plan' that gives money back on 'everyday health care costs such as trips to the dentist and opticians' plus help with the cost of 'specialist consultations'.

And Unite offers a Health Cash Plan which it says is 'an easy, low-cost way to look after your essential medical requirements' and 'money back towards specialist diagnostic consultation fees'.

Last night, Unison insisted its scheme was 'not a private healthcare scheme – it's a payment plan to help low-paid care, school, health, police and council workers spread the cost of treatment which isn't covered by the NHS'.

Tory candidate for Peterborough Paul Bristow, a former member of the Commons health and social care committee, said: 'If you're offering help to get a consultation with a specialist, that's a way of getting faster treatment than on the NHS. 

'There's nothing wrong with that unless you're peddling the sort of blinkered Left-wing ideology which Sir Keir is doing.

'Underneath that moderate, pragmatist image Sir Keir is trying to sell to voters lurks a good old-fashioned Leftie who will wreak havoc if he does get into No 10.'

Last night, a Labour spokesman said: '‘This is desperate stuff from the Tories. We want to see the NHS treating more people, more quickly, more efficiently, and we believe spare capacity, including in the private sector, should be used to achieve this. 

'We don't believe in forcing people to pay so they get the treatment they deserve.'